Autumn is a very popular time of year for engagement photos, and for good reason! Most people I know love the colors of fall, and Kansas City comes alive during the season. There are many places in Kansas City and within driving distance that offer beautiful autumn backdrops for your engagement photos. You can find locations downtown, which are the perfect mix of natural beauty and urban charm. If you want to keep your fall engagement photos filled with nature, there are several parks that will fill your photos with beautiful golden tones. In this post, I will go over some great locations in the Kansas City area for fall photos, featuring Anna and Shawn’s stunning engagement session!
The Nelson-Atkins Museum
The Nelson-Atkins Museum is a stunning work of architecture and landscape design. The stone steps and pillars are make a beautiful contrast for the warm hues of the leaves on the trees. Plus, the art pieces outside and the reflection pool really add variety and fun to fall engagement photos! This is a very popular location for photos, and I recommend scheduling your engagement session in the morning on a weekend or an evening on a weeknight.
Liberty Memorial
Liberty Memorial is a location that offers that modern feel with nature incorporated. The walk leading up to the memorial is lined with trees that change colors during the fall, and the overlook of the city when you get to the tower is just stunning. You can also walk around the memorial to find more nature and stone steps, and the little park in front of the memorial is a great spot for photos as well.
The Colonnade
The Colonnade in the Concourse of Kansas City is a really unique spot that makes for stunning photos that feel like you are in another country. It overlooks a beautiful scene of nature and is surrounded by golden leaves during the fall. I met Anna and Shawn at the Colonnade for their engagement photos in October and we were in awe of how pretty it is! The Colonnade really added an elegance to the photos that made it feel like we were at a castle in Europe. The rain that day brought a rom-com feel, too. 😂
Cliff Drive Scenic Byway
Situated in the same area as the Colonnade is the Cliff Drive Scenic Byway, which is a little gem of nature in the city. Cliff Drive is completely closed off to motorized vehicles which means we can walk the road and admire the towering trees, limestone bluffs, and various wildlife. There is even a manmade waterfall along the drive! The fall colors really show off on Cliff Drive. This would be a great location for anyone that wants fall engagement photos out in nature, but lives in the city and doesn’t want to drive far.
Loose Park
Loose Park is a beautiful location for fall photos! It has lots of different trees that produce leaves of all colors as they start to turn. It also has a beautiful pond area with bridges that light up as the sun sets. Loose Park is another very popular spot for leisure activities as well, so be mindful of the days and times you choose to do your photos here. (I recommend an early morning on the weekends or a weeknight to avoid the crowds.)
Unity Village
For the couple that wants to feel like they’ve traveled to Italy or Spain for their engagement photos, while only driving 20-ish minutes outside of Kansas City, Unity Village is the perfect place for you. The architecture of Unity Village alone is stunning, thanks to its Venetian-style design. The grounds have maples that turn fiery red during the fall, stunning bridges that add a variety of views to photos, and graceful archways that transport you to another place with every new view as you walk through. If you time your engagement session right, you can have fall photos taken there before the fountains are shut down for the season, too, adding a magical element.
Bonus, Unity Village is also an incredible wedding and reception venue!
Powell Gardens
Powell Gardens is the botanical gardens of Kansas City. As it is a botanical gardens, you can only imagine that it is filled with all the colors of autumn during the season, which makes it an ideal location for couples that want fall engagement photos. I would recommend spending at least 90 minutes to 2 hours in Powell Gardens for your photos so you can explore and admire all the different designs while also finding all the best spots for your photos! Powell Gardens is another stunning wedding and reception venue – check out my post on a wedding I photographed there!
Shawnee Mission Park
Crossing over to the Kansas side, Shawnee Mission Park is an ideal location for fall engagement photos (or photos during any season). The park is vast and offers so many different backdrops! Photos by the lake are always beautiful (if you’re a morning person, book a sunrise session – you won’t regret it), and the many different fields turn the most beautiful golden colors as the weather starts to cool. The park is also home to hundreds of trees of all different varieties, that turn all different colors, that stay evergreen, that provide the perfect amount of shade when the sun is high. You’re bound to find exactly what you want for your fall photos in Shawnee Mission Park!
Swope Park
Swope Park is a great place for fall engagement photos because it is huge. The park is 1805 acres! This is an ideal location for couples that enjoy nature walks or hiking and really want to immerse themselves in nature. You’ll find no shortage of trees that change colors in Swope Park, but also lots of hidden gems like a small lake/pond and natural rock structures that will really add that feeling of adventure to your images.
Burr Oaks Woods Conservation Nature Center
The Burr Oaks Woods Conservation Nature Center is a dreamy location for photos during the fall, and also all year round. The trees look like they are straight out of a movie scene, and if you plan your visit right, you can catch the sunlight peaking through casting the most beautiful golden light through the forest, bringing the warm hues of fall to life and creating the most romantic mood for your engagement session.
You can explore the rest of the area too, which has beautiful fields that are mix of tall trees and grass and will make you feel like you’re in the midst of a wild prairie. My number one tip for the Burr Oaks – be respectful of the area! The trees are actually dying and are the last of their kind in Missouri, and there are strict rules and protections in place (it is a conservation area, after all).
Creating Beautiful Photos Rain or Shine
When planning your fall engagement photos in Kansas City, it’s important to have a backup plan in case the weather doesn’t cooperate! If rain or chilly winds roll in, don’t worry—there are plenty of cozy and creative options to keep the magic alive. Consider scouting out local indoor locations, like charming cafes, art galleries, or even iconic buildings that reflect your personalities. Some of the locations on this list offer indoor spaces that are perfect for having a backup plan! You can also embrace the weather by using it to your advantage like Anna and Shawn did. Light drizzle can create a dreamy, romantic atmosphere, especially with an umbrella in hand! Just remember, it’s all about capturing your love story, no matter the conditions. So stay flexible and keep that excitement alive. Your photos will turn out beautifully, rain or shine!
Feeling Inspired to Document Your Fall Engagement Photos Next?
These 10 locations are a relatively short list of all the beautiful places you can have your fall engagement photos taken in the Kansas City area, but they cover a wide spread of desires for couples! Whether you want more modern and elegant or a complete adventure, you’re bound to find exactly what you’re looking for. If you want more location recommendations, reach out! I do a lot of research for my clients to find the perfect spot for them that will bring their visions to life and I’d be happy to do that for you, too!
If you’re ready to document your own fall engagement photos at one of these gorgeous locations, let’s connect! I can’t wait to celebrate this big milestone with you. In the meantime, discover more engagement inspiration and tips on the journal!
Fun Texts from Anna and Shawn
“OMG we’re crying and we’ve only made it through half of them!” “Dream photographer!!!”
Photography by Sara Anne | Kansas City Fall Engagement Photos
